Irwin Schiff R.I.P.

19Oct

[courtesy Google Images]

I met Irwin Schiff several times during the 1990s. He spoke at our Citizens For Legal Reform meetings at Dallas, Texas. I interviewed him on my own radio talk show two or three times, and he advertised his books in my magazine (the AntiShyster). He was determined to make a difference and was a “character” of considerable proportions. We weren’t close friends, but I liked and respected him.

Irwin Schiff was born on February 23, A.D. 1928. During his life, he was the author of several books including The Federal Mafia, a radio talk show host and, most of all, a warrior who fought the IRS and the Internal Revenue Code. He was repeatedly charged both civilly and criminally for his anti-tax activities. He was imprisoned several times (three?) for income tax evasion or other crimes against the IRS. Prison didn’t deter him. Whenever he was released, he went right back to fighting the IRS and refusing to pay income taxes.

Most recently, Irwin was convicted on October 24, A.D. 2005, in the U.S. District Court in Las Vegas, Nevada, on multiple counts of filing false tax returns for the years 1997 through 2002, aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns filed by other taxpayers,conspiring to defraud the United States, and (for his own income taxes for tax years 1979 through 1985) tax evasion, and sentenced for the last time, to prison. Everyone knew it was a death sentence.

Despite Schiff’s age (he turned 78 years old on the day of sentencing), on February 24, 2006, Schiff was sentenced to 151 months (almost 13 years) in prison and was ordered to pay over $4.2 million in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

Schiff was also sentenced to 12 additional months for contempt of court. That was Irwin. Defiant to the end. Determined to tell his truth and have the last word. Not even a Federal Judge could shut him up.

Irwin died last Friday (October 16th) at the age of 87.

According to his son, Peter Schiff (http://schiffgold.com/our-team/peter-schiff/), “my father was fortunate to have been born into the freest nation in the history of the world. But when he passed away on Oct. 16th, 2015 at the age of 87, a political prisoner of that same nation, legally blind and shackled to a hospital bed in a guarded room in intensive care, the free nation he was born into had itself died years earlier.”

I lot of people will probably think that dying blind, under guard and shackled as a prisoner is evidence of a colossal defeat and a failed life. I doubt that Irwin would agree. If Irwin had been released to go home to die with his family, his passing would be somewhat “sweet”. But it wouldn’t be particularly memorable. Irwin (and all of his tax protest arguments) would tend to be forgotten much sooner if he’d died under “pleasant” circumstances.

However, dying while legally blind but still under guard and shackled to a bed strikes me as evidence that Irwin fought this government to his dying breath. It’s certainly evidence that the government was still fighting him. His death, though sad, will attract more attention to his battle, to his character and to his books. The cruel circumstances of his death make his life, arguments and books all the more memorable. Despite being blind, elderly and weak, the government still thought Irwin was a sufficient threat to keep him shackled.

The chains that bound him even unto death are a profound testimony to Irwin’s unbroken spirit. The chains proved that government feared that, if Irwin wasn’t shackled, he’d surely “do something”. He’d run, he’d talk, he’d file another lawsuit–he’d “do something” because he was not yet beaten. He had not surrendered. Left unchained, Irwin would surely have struck one more blow against the IRS and government. The chains he died in were government’s tribute to Irwin’s unbroken spirit.

More, by dying in chains, Irwin died in battle. His death will be remembered and, in that memory, Irwin will once again have the “last word”. Having lived his life as a warrior, I think he’d be delighted to have died in battle.

Here’s a video of Irwin’s run for the Libertarian Party’s nomination for President in A.D. 1996. You can see the mischievous smile on his face and gleam in his eye. He was 68 years old and still vital, intelligent, articulate, funny–and most of all fearless. The video really shows us the essence of the man. I doubt that Irwin could ask for a more fitting memorial.

19 responses to “Irwin Schiff R.I.P.”

Irwin Schiff made five mistakes in the fight against the International Roofing Services ! ! , 4Th , Fifth , Sixth , Seventh Articles of the Bill of Rights ! there is no amendment in the U S Constitution . However I chalange you to find at least three easy conflict in the 11Th am. compare it with Article 3 . of the U S Constitution . I have practically told you the conflict’s just in the 11 th am. I saw Irwin read his material but when the federal mob invited me to ogden utah , and he failed to answear his phone I new he was wrong ! But he was the first or last to start the ball rolling towards freedom… Thank You

No one has made a more cogent statement about Irwin’s passing than this. Shackling him to his bed and guarding him in death was one of the most crazy and ridiculous things I’ve seen. R.I.P. Irwin and know that your cause was not in vain. Now your words and ideas will spread more than ever, and you ultimately will have won.

Socrates was an old man who was sentenced to death because his heretical ideas “corrupted the morals of the youth”. He could have escaped but if he did, he may not be considered one of the founders of Western Civilization. His ideas are worth fighting for. They are worth dying for. In the coming years, life in America will become difficult as the financial house of cards falls. Irwin’s story is needed to help explain who is to blame for the calamity. But will it be heard?

In 1795 the judges started shreding the U S Constitution . and now ! they are going to bankrupt the world their tricks with the legal tender act are fast coming to an end .
The U S Constitution is the best way . to stay out of prison .From the 11Th amendment to 27 Th is what will put you in prison .Memorize the U S Constitution it will keep you FREE and WEALTHY .
Forget all the Bull Shit sporting events the boob tube . good luck WE THE PEOPLE

Irwin’s biggest mistake was trying to fight a Private society from within. He never learned -or learned too late- that all he had to do was learn step out and away from the STATE and the STATE actors could not touch him.

To stay out and away from the STATE tax rules is simple: stop using the STATE Person and that which IDentifies IT; Use cash, foreign currencies, gold, silver, other forms or consideration, etc. Just do all of your exchanges outside of the STATE (that doesn’t mean you have to physically leave the ground the STATE actors like to pretend is theirs).

To add even more clarity, and simplicity, the IRS is an INTERNAL Revenue Service. What a man does, EXTERNAL of The STATE, he has none to account to but himself and, at times, only to whom a man contracts with.

I have seen this excerpt posted before on this Alfred Adask Law blog before, & several times, but maybe I am seeing & understanding something different than You-uns SEE.
“Unless the defendant can prove he is not a citizen of the United States** [under 8 U.S.C. §1401 and NOT the constitution], the IRS has the right to inquire and determine a tax liability.”
[U.S. v. Slater, 545 Fed.Supp. 179,182 (1982)]

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

“God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. … What country before ever existed a century and half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”
– Thomas Jefferson (Letter to William Stephens Smith, 13 November 1787)